Boom or gaff for vessels



Patented May l6; I899.

H n M S B H am 8 s 4 2 6 0 N BOOM 0B GAFF FOB VESSELS.

(No Model.)

INVENVTOR iijfiw...

\NITNEEEES NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HOWARD B. SMITH, OF, FRUITVALE, CALIFORNIA.

BOOM OR GAFF FOR VESSELS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 624,988, dated May 16, 1899.

Application filed June 22, 1898.

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, HOWARD B. SMITH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Fruitvale, in the county of Alameda and State of California,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Boom or Gaff Tongues for Sailing Vessels; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of said invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to whichit most nearly appertains to make, use, and practice the same.

My invention relates to a novel construction of that part of the boom or gaif of masted vessels nautically known as the tongue, being that part which receives the thrust and rides upon the mast when the boom swings. This tongue is mounted in the space between the two curved jaws which embrace the mast, and by reason of its function it is subjected to excessive wear and requires to be frequently renewed. Heretofore it has formed a permanent and fixed part of the boom and jaws, so that in renewing it the jaws were injured, if not destroyed.

My improvement consists in mounting the block which forms this tongue in the space between the jaws by means of metallic bearings on a rod or shaft which passes transversely through the jaws, so that it can be renewed and removed without disturbing the aws,

Referring to the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the mast and rear end of the boom with aportion of one of the jaws brokenaway to showthe mountings of the block or tongue. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the different parts composing the tongueseparated from one another. Fig. 3 is a vertical section of the tongue with all the parts in place. Fig. 4 is a horizontal section of the same.

Let A represent the mastof a vessel, and B the boom or gaff.

C O are the jaws, which extend from the end of the boom and partially encircle the mast. The inner shoulders of these jaws project beyond the end of the boom and provide a rectangular space in which the tongue is mounted and secured. This tongue consists of a block of wood D, in the rear face of which, across its mid-line, I make a deep transverse Serial No. 684,182. (No model.)

groove or channel E, and outside of this channel or groove I make a shallow channel fin the face of the block, extending to a short distance both above and below it.

E, Fig. 2, represents a metal casting consisting of a rectangular box which is adapted to enter and lit snugly in the channelE. outer angles or corners are each provided with a notch 1; for the purpose hereinafter de scribed, audit has asemicircular groove j, extending lengthwise in its outer face.

K, Fig. 2, is a metal casting which is adapted to fit in the shallow channel f outside of the box H, and when fitted and secured inposition its outer face lies flush with the back of the block D. This casting has a semicircular groove or channel j on its inner face directly opposite the semicircular groove or channel j of the box H, so that the two semicircular grooves register and form a circular hole when the parts are fitted together.

The box His made to fit tightly in the channel E in. block D and requires no other fastening'; but the casting K requires to be secured in place in the shallow channel f either by bolts, screws, or clamps. I have shown projecting bolts m; but it will be readily understood that any other of the well-known fastening devices can be used, The casting K has lugs 19 on its underside, which enter and fit in the notches 11 of the box H and prevent it from shifting endwise in its channel. The casting K can be readily removed by re leasing its fastenings.

To secure this tongue in proper position in the space between the jaws C O, I bore a hole transversely through both jaws and run a strong bolt or rod B through the holes, so as to extend across the space between the jaws. A simple strong bolt having a head on one end and a tightening-nut on the opposite end will serve this purpose. Upon this bolt, between the jaws, I secure the tongue to which the Its box H has been fitted by placing the semi+ circular groove of the box upon the rod and then placing the casting K in place, so that its semicircular groove will encompass and fit the opposite side of the rod. The casting is then secured in place to the block. This secures the tongue upon the rod and provides a metal bearing to resist the thrust, so that the only wear-upon the tongue will be upon its shoe or front face, which bears against the mast. The tongue is thus free to accommodate itself to the mast and to the strain which comes upon it through the boom or gafi, and it can be readily removed when worn or out of order and a new block or shoe substituted Without interfering with or injuring the jaws.

Suitable means are provided for oiling the bearings of the tongue; but this need not be described, as it can be supplied by any ordinary mechanic.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a boom or gaff, for masted vessels: a tongue composed of a wooden block, or shoe: a metallic box or casting fitted thereto: and a transverse rod or bolt passing through said box or casting, and bearing at each end in the jaws of the boom or gaff, substantially as described.

2. In a boom, or gaff, for masted vessels, a tongue consisting of a wooden block, or shoe: a divided metallic box or bearing, fitted and secured to the block or shoe: a transverse rod, or bolt passing through the jaws and across the space, between the jaws, and means for adjusting and fitting the metallic bearings upon the rod or bolt, substantially as described.

3. In a boom, or gaff for masted vessels, a tongue consisting of a wooden block or shoe: a metallic box fitted and secured in a transverse channel in the block or shoe: a transverse rod or bolt passing through the jaws,

and across the space between the jaws: a halfgroove in a metallic box adapted to fit over one half the circumference of the rod, or bolt, and a casting adapted to form the other half of the box, and be removably secured to the block, substantially as described.

4. In a boom, or gaff for masted vessels, a tongue consisting of a wooden block or shoe, having a transverse channel in its rear side: a metallic half-box or hearing, fitted in said channel: an outside casting or half-box, fitted to and secured to the rear side of the block: a bolt or rod passing through the jaws and between the half-box and casting and means for preventing lateral movement of the block .or half-box with reference to each other, substantially as described.

5. In a boom or gaff for masted vessels, a tongue consisting of a wooden block or shoe having a deep transverse channel in its rear side: a shallow channel extending both above and below the deep channel: a metallic half- I HOWVARD B. SMITH.

Witnesses:

CHAS. J. ARMBRUSTER, HARRY J. LAsK. 

